This is all I'm using, and I think it's sufficient.
Do I need to add some more? I can't touch the firewall though...
Can you give me some advice fore some freeware that I need?
SpywareBlaster? AVG-AS? RKU?
Thanks in advance
Have a nice day~

Hi, I run a very similar set up but with the addition of SpywareBlaster and GeSWall. My two laptops run vey well and I also use ESETs online scanner to check that nothing has got in. But perhaps the biggest difference is that I am behind a router as well.

Is that because you want a firewall that is totally maintenance free and doesn't require you to do anything to set it up?

Click to expand...

Actually... yes... and no. I'm using a family PC, and my family members
don't know how to use a firewall. They blame me if something doesn't work.
So I just need some easy-to-use security softwares... or maybe a software that I don't have to touch anything... It's a dillemma for me.. hehe

I would use Sandboxie with either the latest IE or Firefox and ditch Opera and SuperAntiSpyware, but that is my opinion. You probably won't listen to it, thus you will continue to struggle with spyware and other nasties you contract from the web.

I would use Sandboxie with either the latest IE or Firefox and ditch Opera and SuperAntiSpyware, but that is my opinion. You probably won't listen to it, thus you will continue to struggle with spyware and other nasties you contract from the web.

Actually... yes... and no. I'm using a family PC, and my family members
don't know how to use a firewall. They blame me if something doesn't work.
So I just need some easy-to-use security softwares... or maybe a software that I don't have to touch anything... It's a dillemma for me.. hehe

Click to expand...

Actually, I feel your pain.
My family also uses computers of mine and are not familiar with security software. So I end up selecting what gets used on the systems.

The Windows XP SP2 firewall is the simplest of all Firewalls. Unless you want to add a rule to the program, it is virtually a set and forget program.

I use Zone Alarm on a couple of PCs and it is a set and forget program, but there are some users who have gotten a lot of problems running the program or upgrading it so it is not guaranteed to run smoothly on each PC.

Spyware Blaster is a good program and is geared towards making Internet Explorer and Firefox more safer to use. You can use multiple antispyware programs and other related security software, but be aware that if any run in real time fashion, that conflicts and BSODs can sometimes pop up. I don't use any realtime antispyware applications and haven't gotten any problems with running the on demand versions.

ccsito, Thank you for your kindness, I really appreciate it
I'll put things you said in my mind. Thank you very much!
btw are sandbox, HIPS, Virtualization, & System Hardening apps too much for a family PC?
Family full of novices, actually who knows nothing abou security apps?
Thanks in advance

P.S Ghostwall doesn't seem to be a good software for a family full of newbies...

btw are sandbox, HIPS, Virtualization, & System Hardening apps too much for a family PC?
Family full of novices, actually who knows nothing abou security apps?
Thanks in advance

P.S Ghostwall doesn't seem to be a good software for a family full of newbies...

Click to expand...

HIPS, sandbox, virtualization and system hardening applications require a user to become familiar with their setup and knowledge to be able to decipher an alert when something is broadcast by the program. Novices on computers would find those type of applications to be very "noisy" and "annoying" because you have to respond to them when you encounter an attempt to change something on your PC. For someone who doesn't understand, BHO, registry entries, CAB and many of the other Microsoft abbreviations, they would be confused and wouldn't know to click accept or deny. Some may keep bugging you to tell me what to do and after they ask you about 100 times, they most likely will say "forget it" and then answer on their own (or just turn off the PC for pissing them off).

The XP firewall is supposed to be near silent when in use and you don't get any information on attempted intrusions to your PC unless you want them. Ghostwall will show the access attempts and display graphs to show where they came from. It provides more statistical information. Back when I got the IBM XT PC, there was no firewall with the 300bps modem in use. But of course, back then, when you dialed out, you did not have to worry about someone trying to hack into your system.

ccsito, ........
btw are sandbox, HIPS, Virtualization, & System Hardening apps too much for a family PC?
Family full of novices, actually who knows nothing abou security apps?
........

Yes they are too much if you expect them to understand them but you don't do you?

Do the hardening as the administrator, have them run on one single limited account. But if you set up a real time AV and ASW plus a 2 way FW just using default set and forget I can't see why they can't email and browse the internet.

Make sure you have a recovery cd and backup for your PC and there should be no problem.

The only thing I would change is the fw.
I use a two way firewall.
You could also install Firefox and Spyware Blaster.
Spyware Blaster is very easy to use.
Some family members may like Firefox better.It won't hurt having FireFox and Opera both installed.

the Tester/ thanks for your reply I wish I could change my firewall...
but it's not my PC, and I have to consider the bad effects that would
cause to my family members. I use to use both FireFox and Opera, but
now I only have Opera, because I think I like it more.

Thanks zapjb for your strong recommendation
However, I still can't use any firewall...
Any firewall I install just interferes my father's works.
He usually does his work at home, and send it to his office PC
by using this software called "Global Access."
Every single firewall I installed blocked it, even GhostWall, and he always complain it to me.
I'm kind of tired...
I just wish, if I was a expert I would make a rule for that darn software to work.

P.S. Ghostwall was a really nice firwall, although I tried it only for 10 minutes. lol

I found out there is two IP address that this darn "Global Access" uses.
Is there any way that I can make a rule with it?
I'll show you a screenshot of what it looks like.
I'll translate it...

The title of the first section with a checkbox says "L2TP Tunneling Enable"
and below that it says "Security Center Address(IP)"
And the title of the second section, it says "Administration Server"
and below that, there is a blank space where you put your IP address.
(I erased the IP Address)

Is it possible to make a rule with just these two IP address?
(based on ghostwall, I'm starting to like it)